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'It was an unsavoury, unfortunate incident but Jordon is fine,' Howe said.

'Security is strong here and there is plenty of advice available for players, but it is difficult once they are out of our control and they will be easy targets, especially given the cars they drive.

'How do you protect them?'

The 20-year-old is not the only footballer to have been impacted by a crime of that nature. West Ham striker Andy Carroll was involved in what appeared to be an attempted robbery while driving home from training this month.

Eddie Howe (right) believes that footballers have become easy targets for thieves

While Ibe is available for Sunday's game, midfielder Jack Wilshere, on loan from Arsenal, cannot play against his parent club.

'Jack will be a big miss for us,' Howe said.

'He's got better and better each week and been excellent, both with and without the ball.'

Bournemouth are in the top half of the table after their win last weekend. First-choice goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who missed that game, will have a late fitness test to determine whether he can return.

Howe believes the absence of Jack Wilshere will be a big loss for Bournemouth this weekend